Methods of making monolayers

Abstract

The invention pertains to methods of forming monolayers on various surfaces. The surfaces can be selected from a wide array of materials, including, for example, aluminum dioxide, silicon dioxide, carbon and SiC. The substrates can be planar or porous. The monolayer is formed under enhanced pressure conditions. The monolayer contains functionalized molecules, and accordingly functionalizes a surface of the substrate. The properties of the functionalized substrate can enhance the substrate's applicability for numerous purposes including, for example, utilization in extracting contaminants, or incorporation into a polymeric matrix.

1. A method of forming a monolayer of functionalized silicon on a substrate surface, the functionalized silicon including an organic group covalently attached with the silicon, the method comprising exposing the substrate surface to a precursor comprising the functionalized silicon, the precursor interacting with the substrate to form the monolayer across at least a portion of the surface of the substrate; and wherein the exposing of the substrate surface to the precursor occurs in a supercritical fluid comprising one or more members of the group consisting of ammonia, freons, nitrogen, and noble gases, wherein the substrate comprises a glass fiber; and further comprising, after forming the monolayer, incorporating the glass fiber into a fiberglass matrix by bonding the organic group within a polymeric material. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising forming a film of water across a surface of the substrate prior to the exposing of the substrate to the precursor. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the precursor is selected from the group consisting of siloxanes, silazanes and chlorosilanes. 
     
     
       4. A method of functionalizing an oxygen-containing surface, comprising exposing the surface to precursor molecules, the precursor molecules comprising core atoms from which crosslinking atoms and functional groups extend; the precursor molecules interacting with the oxygen of the oxygen-containing surface to form a monolayer across at least a portion of the surface, the monolayer layer comprising the functional groups; and wherein the exposing of the oxygen-containing surface to the precursor molecules occurs in a supercritical fluid comprising ammonia, wherein the surface is a surface of a glass fiber; and further comprising, after forming the monolayer, incorporating the glass fiber into a fiberglass matrix by bonding the monolayer within a polymeric material. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein the core atoms are silicon. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  wherein the precursor molecules are selected from the group consisting of siloxanes, silazanes and chlorosilanes.